Two-dimensional tuning system for computer-controlled radio equipment

A virtual tuning system for computer-controlled, mouse-equipped radios which is capable of spanning a very wide frequency band with a relatively small resolution, the tuning system comprising:

• a computer-generated, two-dimensional graphical field traversed by a cursor controlled by the computer mouse, the field comprising a first axis representing frequency and a second axis indicating tuning resolution;
• software means for concurrently converting cursor movements and positions within the two-dimensional field to control signals that concurrently tune the radio;
• and,
• whereby the computer mouse selects the tuned frequency of the radio in accordance with cursor movement along one of said axis's and the rate whereby the selected frequency may be varied in accordance with cursor position relative to the other of said axis's.

A method for virtually tuning radios that are controlled by a computer equipped with a pointer device such as a mouse, trackball or the like, the method capable of spanning a very wide frequency band with a relatively small resolution, said method comprising the steps of:

• generating a two-dimensional graphical field upon the computer that is traversed by a cursor controlled by the computer pointer device, the field comprising a first graphical dimension representing frequency and a second graphical dimension indicating tuning resolution;
• concurrently converting cursor movements and positions within the two-dimensional field to control signals that concurrently tune the radio;
• and,
• whereby the computer pointer device selects the tuned frequency of the radio in accordance with cursor movement along one of said graphical dimensions and the rate whereby the selected frequency may be varied in accordance with cursor position relative to the other of said graphical dimensions.